Easy Summer Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Ah, summer. The temperature increases, rain starts to fall, birds chirp, vacations abound, and we get to spend more time enjoying the outdoors. Another thing that changes during the hot months is how to take care of your home’s plumbing system.

The heat, long days, and high activity of summer put your plumbing system under new and different kinds of strain. Keep these important tips in mind, and your plumbing will be prepared for whatever the summer brings.
­

Take a close look at your sprinklers.

Harsh winters can damage sprinkler systems in the form of cracking and leaking, which leads to water waste. In the beginning of the summer, check all of your home’s outdoor sprinkler heads for leaks, rust, or misdirection. Fix them as early as possible to save as much water and money as possible.

School’s out for summer means stress on home plumbing fixtures.

Summer means the kids are out of school and probably around the house a lot more often. More people at home means more strain on your plumbing system. Add a couple bad habits to this situation and you have the perfect storm for plumbing trouble.

Make sure your kids know the biggest home plumbing no-nos.

1. Don’t put grease down the garbage disposal.
2. 2. Be clear about what you cannot flush down the toilet.
3. Always run the fan when you’re showering to prevent mold growth.

Following these rules could be the difference between smooth sailing and a major plumbing problem.

Don’t heat water you won’t use!

If you’re going on vacation this summer, turn down the temperature on your water heater before you leave. Not only will this give your water heater a break, it’ll help you save money on your power bill, too. You don’t need your home’s hot water while you’re out anyway!

Pay attention to where you plant.

Summer is a great time to get outside and do some gardening. If you’re digging in your yard, however, be sure to do it cautiously. There are gas and sewer lines under all lawns. Know where your gas and sewer lines are before you plant. Pay attention when planting trees, too. Tree roots can grow into and infiltrate sewer lines very easily if you’re not careful.

Check on the connections for your dishwasher and washing machine.

Chances are, you’re really going to put your home appliances through their paces this summer. You’ll do a lot of dishes and wash a lot of clothing. Early summer is the perfect time to make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are hooked up properly. If you can fix leaks now, you can head off a lot of trouble before it happens later this season.

For all plumbing maintenance that you’d rather have a professional take care of, give the pros at Len The Plumber a call. We’ll help you make the most of the beautiful weather and busy months.